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Big money didn't equal big votes in Nanaimo byelection

Nearly 7,400 votes were cast in Nanaimo's recent byelection. According to the numbers, roughly two votes were cast for every dollar contributed to the 13 campaigns.Spencer Sterritt/NanaimoNewsNOW

NANAIMO — High spending didn't lead to high voter turnout for the candidates who spent the most in Nanaimo's recent municipal byelection.

Disclosure statements from Elections BC show Jim Mercier contributed $17,520 in his self-funded campaign, which is nearly three times the amount contributed to Noah Routley, who received the second highest amount of campaign contributions.

Mercier came fifth in the election with 443 votes and Routley seventh with 296.